Dream Patriots Trade Target Rumored to Leave Current Squad

Anyone following the New England Patriots in 2023 knows that the passing game was one of the team's biggest weaknesses. The Patriots averaged 180.5 passing yards per game (28th) and 8.7 yards per completion (29th), playing a big role in their averaging an NFL-low 13.9 points per contest.

If improving the aerial attack is a top priority this offseason, New England is in luck. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk looks to be unhappy on the West Coast and if that's the case, the Patriots must do what they can to acquire the gifted playmaker.

Patriots Should Target 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Ever since the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, rumors have swirled regarding Aiyuk's potential displeasure.

It all began on Monday when the wideout's girlfriend Rochelle Searight posted a TikTok video about how she and Aiyuk were going to Levi's Stadium for potentially the last time since "we might not be out here next year."

While that post was concerning on its own, it didn't stop there.

Shortly after the TikTok was posted, Draysean Hudson — Aiyuk's best friend and former Sierra College teammate — made multiple Instagram story posts that alluded to the 25-year-old WR's potential exit. The captions ranged from "This is the exact reason why we leaving San Francisco" to "Why does your All-Pro 1,300-yard receiver have 3 catches in the Super Bowl?"

It isn't hard to see that Aiyuk (and his entourage) would be frustrated. He was one of the 49ers' most important players in 2023, however, he was only targeted six times for three receptions and 49 yards.

That's just unacceptable usage of a player as talented as Aiyuk — especially with the Vince Lombardi Trophy on the line.

If the 49ers are going to mistreat the former Arizona State product, the Patriots won't have a problem treating him like a king. New England desperately needs a No. 1 WR after a campaign that saw injuries hold Kendrick Bourne to eight games while 2023 offseason acquisition JuJu Smith-Schuster was nothing short of underwhelming.

Meanwhile, Aiyuk is coming off a personal-best year that saw him tally a career-high 1,342 receiving yards with seven touchdowns on 75 catches. Had he been on the Patriots last season, he would've led the team's WRs in each statistic by a long shot.

Aiyuk has one year remaining on his contract with a $14,124,000 cap hit. That isn't an issue for the Patriots, who have over $69.8 million in cap space, per Spotrac. The only thing that they'd have to worry about is the asking price in a potential trade. Fortunately, the Pats have three top 70 draft picks in April with a bunch of future assets to work with, too.

If Aiyuk is truly on the move this season, the Patriots are in a great position to bring him to Foxboro.

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